Names of cocaine users not given in writing: Speaker

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya informed Parliament today that State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake had not submitted in writing the list of ministers and MPs who were accused of taking drugs.

CC goes above Legislature, Executive, Judiciary: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said today the Constitutional Council (CC) had gone above all three arms of the government; the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

6-month amnesty period for illegal immigrants in Jordan

The Jordanian Government has declared a six-month amnesty period for illegal immigrants to leave the country -- to which at least 3,500 Sri Lankans are included.

Change CC composition to keep politicos aside: Jayampathi

The composition of the Constitutional Council (CC) should be changed in order to keep politicians out of it, Government MP Jayampathi Wickramaratne told parliament today. Speaking during an adjournment debate in the House, he said the CC solely comprised

Protesting Uni. students tear-gassed

Police fired tear-gas and used water cannons to disperse protesting students of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts outside the Fort Railway station a short while ago, the police said.

Management faculty of J’pura University closed

The Management faculty of the Sri Jayewardenepura University has been closed indefinitely following a ragging incident.

Parliament Road closed

Parliament Road from Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla is temporarily closed because of a protest being carried out by government service additional management officials.

Tense situation at Rupavahini premises

A number of employees of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation carried out a protest at the corporation premises demanding explanations to some of the transfers that had been made recently.

Govt. service executive officers to launch 24-hour token strike on Feb.27

About 15, 000 government service executive officers are to launch a 24-hour countrywide token strike on February 27 as a mark of protest against two Acts that has resulted in an increase in lawyers’ salary scales by 300 per cent.

Kopay Acting OIC arrested over assault on journalist

The acting OIC of the Kopay Police Station Inspector (IP) E.G. Gunaratne has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a journalist in Kopay, the police said.

Two VPs, Secretary elected to SLC: Ranatungas stumped

Ravin Wickramaratne and K. Mathivanan have been elected as vice presidents of Sri Lanka Cricket defeating Arjuna Ranatunga.

Shammi Silva becomes President of SLC

Shammi Silva has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka Cricket with 83 votes at the SLC elections held at the Ministry of Sports today.

Martis suspended pending inquiry

St. Peter’s College and Havelock Sports Club Head Coach Sanath Martis has been ‘suspended pending inquiry from all forms of rugby,’ Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) said yesterday following a long meeting.

13 Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lankan waters

Thirteen Indian fishermen who were poaching in Sri Lankan waters were arrested by the Navy in Northern seas, yesterday.

Will reveal names of eight politicians’ sons who use drugs: Ranjan

I will reveal eight names of sons of prominent politicians who were involved in drug smuggling and used drugs, State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday.

Fire at Dhaka chemical warehouse Kills 56

At least 56 people have died in a huge fire that tore through apartment buildings also used as chemical warehouses in an old part of the Bangladeshi capital, a fire official said Thursday.

Vets threaten token strike on 27 over Cabinet Paper

The State Veterinary Surgeons’ Association (SVSA) yesterday said that they would launch a token strike on next Wednesday, February 27 if the government did not take measures to abolish the Cabinet Paper, which proposed to bring back rabies elimination programme under the purview of the Health Ministry.

Action against military personnel: Ex-commanders urge Prez to intervene

A group of former three-forces commanders yesterday said a special procedure should be adopted when arresting or taking action against military personnel and urged President Maithripala Sirisena to intervene into the matter.

Parliament to get sophisticated elevators

Steps have been taken to replace elevators in parliament with sophisticated ones following the recommendations of the committee appointed to look into the malfunctioning of an elevator recently, deputy speaker Ananda Kumarasiri informed parliament today.

A Korean, five Vietnamese arrested with fake Korean passports

One Korean and five Vietnamese were arrested by the Immigration and Emigration Department officers today while attempting to flee to Ukraine using fake Korean passports, a senior official of the Immigration and Emigration Department said.

Ranjan before disciplinary committee on Friday

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake today said he had been asked to appear before the disciplinary committee that had been appointed to look into the statement he had made accusing some MPs of being cocaine users.

Kalinga Indatissa elected BASL President

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa was elected as the 25th President of Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) while Attorney-at-Law Kaushalya Nawaratne was elected as its Secretary.

ASP to strengthen Labour Party aiming PC poll

Following the resignation as the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar, Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader A.S.P. Liyanage said he is planing to expand his party with the intention of fielding candidates for upcoming Provincial Council (PC) election from all districts.

SLC election to go ahead after parties agreed on a settlement

Sri Lanka Cricket election will be held tomorrow as scheduled after all parties came to an amicable settlement before the Court of Appeal. Accordingly, Mohan de Silva and Ravin Wickremaratne were allowed to contest for posts despite being disqualified by the Appeal’s Advisory Committee.

UNP appoints committee to probe Ranjan’s claims

A four-member committee headed by the Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella was appointed today by the UNP parliamentary group to probe the allegations leveled against a number of Cabinet Ministers by Highways and Road Development State Minister Ranjan Ramanayaka alleging that they were drug addicts.

Two youth arrested for taking photos on top of Cheithiya further remanded

The two youth arrested by the Archaeological Department officers on February 14 for having allegedly taken photos on top of one of the retinue Cheithiyas in Mihintale, were further remanded until February 27 by the Anuradhapura Magistrate today.

Speaker wants AG, EC at meeting on PC polls

The Speaker had requested Elections Commissioner (EC)and the Attorney General (AG) to be present at the next party leaders meeting to discuss holding of elections to the Provincial Councils under the old system, Minister Mano Ganesan who attended the Party Leaders meeting said.

Mannar mass grave: Report submitted to court

The US laboratory’s Radiocarbon dating test report on bone samples from the Mannar mass grave, has been submitted to the Mannar Magistrate’s court today.

Duterte says MS follows his example of ’killing bastards’

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday said President Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to emulate his approach to curbing the drug menace by ’’killing bastards.’’

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road outside the Finance Ministry in Colombo has been closed due to a protest carried out by a group of retired army soldiers, reporter said.